Blooming Fire’s ‘riPPle eFFect’ is a record shaped by time, patience, and intent. Written across the late 2010s through to 2024 and recorded between Revolver Recording Studios, Fireside Sound, and Joshua Tree Recording Studio, the album carries a sense of lived-in reflection.
Across eight tracks, the band explores themes of healing, resistance, and renewal. Water acts as a recurring motif, symbolising transformation and emotional movement, and it’s a thread that quietly ties the record together.
Opening track ‘Alien’ sets the tone with a soft yet thumping alternative folk soundscape. Gentle vocals sit atop understated percussion, while hints of rap and hip-hop emerge through spoken-word passages, establishing the album’s genre-blending confidence. ‘Angel’ follows with a more pop-driven approach; while the vocals occasionally sound sharper than comfortable, the repetitive lyrics are undeniably memorable, and the spoken sections once again provide a compelling contrast.
‘TK’ strips things back, offering a softer, more atmospheric moment defined by warmth and layered vocal harmonies. In contrast, ‘Waterfalls’ ups both rhythm and urgency, bringing a bolder energy with a strong brass section and some of the album’s most striking spoken-word performances. That brass-led momentum continues on ‘Never Gonna Bring Me Down’, which leans into soul and blues influences, elevated by the chemistry between male and female vocals and its rich, warm instrumentation.
‘Queen’ eases the album’s pace, offering a moment of reflection, before ‘She Felt At Peace’ moves forward with renewed energy. It’s a standout track, vibrant, dynamic, and demanding attention, and a personal highlight thanks to its pacing and drive. Closing track ‘What About Love’ brings things full circle with a comforting, soft landing, rounding out the album with warmth and emotional clarity.
‘riPPle eFFect’ is a thoughtful, genre-fluid record that rewards attentive listening, balancing experimentation with heart and leaving a lasting, reassuring impression.
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